The annual Trooping the Colour event, which celebrates the British monarch’s official birthday, witnessed the return of Princess Kate Middleton to public life after a six-month absence due to her ongoing battle with cancer. The event, held on June 15, 2024, was attended by Middleton, her husband Prince William, and their children, making their appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
As the public celebrated Middleton’s return, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, found herself at the center of a different sort of attention. On the same weekend, Markle launched new products from her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. This most likely coincidental timing led to accusations from royal experts and media outlets that Markle was trying to divert attention from Middleton’s significant public return.
Speaking on TMZ Live, Jonathan Sacerdoti, a notable royal expert, expressed strong opinions towards Markle’s actions. He accused her of trying to steal the spotlight from Middleton. Despite criticizing Markle’s attempt as “pathetic,” Sacerdoti also acknowledged that the timing could have been coincidental.
Many media outlets echoed Sacerdoti’s assumptions, suggesting that Markle’s product launch, promoted by her friend Nacho Figueras on Instagram, was a strategic move to overshadow Middleton. Figueras’ Instagram post featuring new raspberry jam and dog biscuits from American Riviera Orchard was seen by royal fans as an attempt to shift the media’s focus.
However, not all experts concur with Sacerdoti’s assessment. Many believe that Markle had no control over Figueras’ social media activity. A close source to Markle told reporters, “It would have been difficult for her to control the timing and context of his post, as celebrities may not react well to having their posts micro-managed.” This view was supported by public relations expert Lynn Carratt, who stated, “Meghan sending a pot of her jam and dog biscuits to a friend was not done with any malice.”
Carratt also argued that Markle often faces disproportionate criticism. She pointed out that Markle and Prince Harry have been under the public eye since their departure from royal duties in 2020, an event dubbed as “Megxit.”
Despite the controversy, Middleton’s public return was significant. After undergoing abdominal surgery and starting chemotherapy treatments, Middleton had taken a step back from her official duties in January. Prior to the Trooping the Colour event, she released a statement expressing gratitude for the public’s support during her cancer battle.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl emphasized that Middleton’s appearance at the event was a considerable effort. She said Middleton’s attendance “followed a huge amount of preparation and time and effort,” suggesting that it likely took a toll on her health.
Public reaction to Middleton’s return was largely positive, with many expressing admiration for her resilience. Sacerdoti echoed this sentiment, stating that Middleton’s reappearance served as a reminder of the royal family’s enduring appeal and her display of strength.
Meanwhile, supporters of Markle defended her against the accusations of overshadowing Middleton. They argued that her actions were unintentional and that the controversy was likely a result of ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
